Archived Information

Appendix C:
Gradations of Academic Intensity & Quality of H.S. Curriculum

The following table sets forth the 40 gradations (in descending value) of curriculum intensity and quality as used in the development of the Academic Resources index and variable. The figures in the boxes represent the minimum rounded number of Carnegie units required for the gradation on a given row. Where a box is empty, there are no minimum requirements. Where a box indicates "none" (for remedial math and remedial English), it means that no remedial work is allowed for that gradation. For the High School & Beyond/Sophomore cohort, computer science was not nearly as widely offered as it is today. Therefore, computer related credits were brought into play only to disaggregate lumps in the distribution. Total high school credits/academic credits is an empirically-derived factor that comes into play only in the very lowest gradations.

The basic 5-subject credit thresholds were constructed in the course of examining the coded transcripts for students who were known HS&B/So high school graduates with graduation dates through 12/31/86. The editorial process paid particular attention to all cases that showed 16 or fewer total high school credits. Where the evidence strongly suggested dissonance with other variables in the student's record, all transcripts from that student's school were examined. Where non-standard credit metrics were found, they were adjusted, and major components (mathematics, English, etc.) multiplied by as much as (but no more than) 2. The editorial process also Windsorized cases of total Carnegie unit counts above 32, and adjusted the major components down one-by-one.

These gradations of academic intensity and quality are based on the history of one national high school class that was scheduled to graduate in 1982. The next graduating class for which we possess similar national data is that of 1992. While the specific numbers of Carnegie units, APs, and remedial indicators might change, the basic form and principles of the gradations will probably not change. This presentation of the possibilities of high school curricular attainment is criterion-referenced: theoretically, everybody can reach gradation level #1.

Key: A2=Algebra 2; NET1=Total mathematics credits minus remedial mathematics units=0.5 or less; NET0=Total mathematics credits minus remedial mathematics credits=more than 0.5; *=minimum units of Core Laboratory Science, otherwise minimum units of all science=2.5.

Appendix B: Inclusions and Exclusions in the Academic Resources Variable: a Demographic Portrait

Appendix D: So They Got a Degree! Why Did It Take So Long? Or Did It?